Goat Milking Morning Routine | Homesteading Chore VLOG

[@littlesaltyhomesteader]

I, too, am incentivized by food and treats 😂

[@elizabethrios9926]

Jess, I love watching "goat time!"

[@packradtpackradt4581]

Thank you for going through the routine on camera and explaining the 'simple things' and not assuming that Your Audience would "Just Know" this or that aspect. I appreciate you.

[@LaBonnevie61]

I’m happy to see the goats back. I didn’t realize how much I missed them.

[@SusanMMorrow]

I have been watching, learning and appreciating you for almost 9 years (could it be more?) and still love your interaction with all things living - including us! I live in the Los Angeles area but I have a big lot which I have successfully grown food in for 16 years. But growing food became more fun and more efficient since teaming up with you and your skills. My dreams have always been to move to a larger property and have goats, chickens and space for my dog and my husband to run free. Although that may not be in the cards for me, it helps to see your smiling face enjoy and share that wonderful experience. Thanks Jess for the amazing memories past, present and future.

[@jaclynfrank]

1. I felt so proud of your goats when the first one came out to get milked since they pretty much know what order they go in 😊 they seem like they are doing well! 2. The milk stand looks like it fits them well! 3. I’m totally rooting for Toast to get some fresh milk like Todd does in Fox and the Hound lol. It’s good to see her again 4. Little Whit is adorable 🥰

[@jayneward6649]

Awe Jess, it's so lovely seeing you milk goats again & I watched Miah build your goat milking station, I'm so glad it works very well & adding a rubber non slp mat is a brilliant idea ❤❤❤❤❤

[@robingreany899]

Thank you for sharing your milking the goats. Love your new milking stand. ❤

[@juliesrootsandshoots]

I'm getting my first herd of goats for dairy this spring. (I'm going to cry I'm so happy about this!) Thank you for showing your routine and I appreciate your information!

[@erikas974]

Jess hats off to you. If I would have to do this every morning and night I would never have milk. Not just the early start but all that work. You are a true farmer and as I said yesterday when I was in a group with lots of farmers ladies I do appreciate farmers without them we would not have food.🫂to you and thank you.❤🎉

[@MFaith777]

You should pour a little milk treat for the cat in a separate bowl away from the goats before you milk the goats, if you aren’t already doing that ❤️ Might keep her out of your bucket and use up some of the milk for good purposes/save on cat food. Edit: Maybe you’re already doing that and I missed it Lol 🤷🏼‍♀️ Have a good one. Dreaming to someday have goats. And get our chickens and pigs back. We moved about a year ago and have had a ton of work to do on the house/property before even being able to add gardens and animals. Hopefully can add those this summer. Working on seedlings and building gardens right now!

[@ColRubyDimplesManacha]

That was a much smoother process than I expected! They're lovely!

[@tarynolson2610]

I think a lot of us would benefit from a “how to get started with goats” pdf , you have so much knowledge from raising, breeding and milking goats over the years! I would be happy to pay for a mini book, or a full size book too, haha. Thanks for sharing this video. Still in the waiting for the day I get to have my own goats. ❤️ learning for now & so happy you have them again!

[@jerryabigailahrens8239]

Love that you have goats back! I agree that having some hard and fast parts to each day helps to keep things running smoothly! ❤

[@evanorvell8368]

You "tump" it off! I love that! Tump is a word we use in the south that nobody mentions in those southern sayings videos! Also, you should give Toast a squirt of milk! 😆

[@whispersofwillowpixi]

I have been watching this channel since the early days. I think my handle was P I x I summit at that time, And as I've been following along with the progress. It felt very normal just to see the build up of everything. But I need some tips on container gardening.So I went back to a really old video of yours. And boy did it just send me into my Feels.... Just to have been here to be a part of watching this beautiful family Grow right along with your farm and your channel. Having been there through the whole move and seeing what you've come from to what you've done now. It's a huge inspiration and a huge blessing in my life to have been a part of this Journey. And what an amazing community, I have learned more from this channel and this community around this channel.Then all my thirty some years of living on a farm. Sending love to everybody on this friday. I know my post is a little late. But wow, what an amazing journey this has been and I can't wait to see what's next.The house building, And the growth of this beautiful family.

[@debsenritchedrefuge603]

I was just thinking about you and your Wilder Still life... Our dear Family, Friends growing up with my son, their daughter just had sweet baby boy a couple days ago, Named him Wilder Beniah.. So very sweet.. Please keep them in your prayers for God's Blessings during his NICU stay for a while.. Love my mornings that start with you and your precious life, and especially with your new goats again! Love you Jess.. Looking forward to seeing you soon in ID! ❤️🐐🙌

[@SpoonfulOfMotherhood]

Ahhh I’m LOVING these goat videos!!! Keep them coming!

[@genevievegreene1595]

I am so happy for you. On Sunday evening I went to look at some goats and agreed on one so now the husband says he will help me finish the paddock for next month and I am looking around for another one. I haven't had goats since I was a teenager so it is a very big deal. It's been like 30 years lol

[@victoriafisk9712]

So glad the goats are back!!

[@kazumon956]

Good Morning Jess! Hope you have the Loveliest of days!

[@ginad729]

Wow Jess I haven't seen you this Happy 😊 since Benjamin was a baby and you had goats 😂 good to see you so excited. This was a great video. So happy for you girl ❤💯

[@courtenayburkholder7990]

Good morning! Watching you while drinking my tea and getting ready for my day.

[@sherrieoday6848]

Hi Jess, this is so cool! Thank you for “ teaching” how to milk a goat! ❤

[@RevLetaLee]

Good morning lovely one! So cheery to see your joy filled face this morning as I head out on garden and chicken related errands. Thanks for all you do to teach and move the world to more sustainability. Claire, Virgie, and Winnie are all old family names in my maternal line. Love it!

[@coryart]

Learned something new today. I did not realize that raw whole milk gets less sweet as it ages, but that makes total sense.

[@tammyshutter1594]

I love you got some goats back. I so love seeing how your garden belt has developed since you first moved in but the one area I haven’t seen how it’s developed is your orchard area. Where you planted the trees when you first moved in and was developing the garden. I would love to see how all your fruit trees are doing. ❤❤❤❤❤. You have come so far and you have given me so much hope!! Thank you!

[@emilymcclain591]

Good morning Sowards Family! Love you guys! Homesteading here in SW Florida. ❤

[@highroad3580]

You mentioned the standard cooling practice of ice water. Over the years I chose the small freezer, but I don’t use jars larger than a quart and found that our great grandparents sat the milk on the counter for multiple uses or placed it in a spring house for cool drinking. I regularly make clabber by sitting the milk on the counter. The milk has natural antiwhatevers and naturally goes more acidic at room temp due to lactic acid. Any other contamination issues would show up as mold or otherwise be obviously narly. I know people have adopted many ideas from store bought processed milk which goes really bad even in the refrigerator. Like you I keep the milk clean and get it cooled asap, but I don’t get as concerned as I once did. Fresh milk from a healthy animal is quite amazing!

[@SageandStoneHomestead]

We are fortunate to have access to reasonable priced alfalfa hay.

[@lisabakos9291]

I've got 2 Nigerian dwarf goats due next month. Can't wait to start milking again, and, of course, new kids!

[@barbaraannewer6320]

Oh I so wish I had done this when I was younger! I just love it!

[@steveegbert7429]

Well done Jess! I never could quite get the hang of goat milking the few times I had to do it when my wife was out of town. I got it done but the goats hated me for it. I couldn't make my hands do what was the right way. Thankfully we only had one dairy goat at the time.

[@kristenwillis2270]

Between your videos of your new herd of goats and your podcast episode a couple weeks ago, it's making it harder and harder for me to resist the idea of someday getting a couple dairy goats. I've watched your videos from the beginning but there's something about you with this herd of goats that's winning me over. We raise all sorts of different animals but for some reason I've never been inspired to raise goats. That is quickly changing! I work full time on top of running our farm and was concerned about the time commitment in the morning for milking. I was shocked when you said how little time it takes you to milk your three girls, I know not every situation will be the same but it's encouraging to hear that once in a routine it doesn't add that much time onto morning chores. 💜

[@thefromscratchhomestead]

Hey! I know there is endless projects lol but if he turned that gate around for you the goats would come right out to the stand! No walking around it! Lol

[@WoochiRanch]

Good mornin Jess! Love these facts and process run through! Thank you!

[@mamahenry6507]

Thank you Jess! I love learning the basics from you. (I’m in my waiting/class room.😊)

[@candicechristensen1753]

Looks like a great set up👍👍 so happy you can enjoy the goat milk with your health struggles ❤

[@slh9564]

Goats are so goofy adorable looking. I smile whenever I see them, they appear to smile back.

[@p.singletary6702]

Look into lezpodeza hay. We live in southeast NC and this is the closest hay we can find to alfalfa.

[@ashleyshomesteadadventures1461]

Hey Jess. So glad to see you back into the goat routine. I am in north central Arkansas and I buy Alfa Alfa pellets because it is so much cheaper than the bales. And the sheep tend to waste less of it when I feed pellet form. Hope this helps.

[@julescaru8591]

Seeing you so happy makes me happy too ! You’ve got a great system in place and I suspect the plan B goat infrastructure may be the way to go but having a dedicated goat barn to allow for perhaps needing the space in the red barn would be a good idea too. All the best Jules 💕😘

[@joanneganon7157]

Hey Jess, well done 👍. It looks like your Goatie Girls and baby Buck are thriving with your knowledge 🎉. JO JO IN VT 💞 Happy St Patrics Day 🌈🍀. JO JO

[@FarmhouseRedeemed]

This was so incredibly helpful! Love watching you Jess. Thank you for sharing your beautiful life. ❤️

[@colleenleach8616]

Love your videos. We are enjoying our retirement on our small homestead. No farm animals, just our dogs.😊

[@shawjacqui]

Jess, check with the camden hay exchange. You should be able to get alfalfa bales more reasonably than feed store compressed bales. - your neighbor in Horry County * looks like the exchange may not be hosted in camden anymore... best wishes!

[@robm394]

Thanks for sharing, Jess. I’d love to see you share some ways to use the goat’s milk, besides drinking of course😊!

[@saskiaguy1940]

Fascinating to watch this process! Thanks Jess 🐐 😊

[@OrganicMommaGA]

I am so happy for you being able to schedule some quiet productivity into your days that's "just for you"! With how busy the farm can be (especially with Spring peeking right around the corner) this short amount of quietude is perfect for starting and ending your day. :)

[@belieftransformation]

Wonderful information as you show & tell how the milking routine goes for you! They all love you & are fun to watch. Thanks for sharing & blessings to all🤗🇨🇦

[@dhansonranch]

I really enjoyed that even though I don't have goats! Very informative. I love your idea for the alley into the barn for milking - everything is in the barn so it makes perfect sense to me. As you mentioned, routine is key, and before long they will get with the routine and be standing at the barn door waiting for you. Not that you asked (lol), but I would not worry about the goat barn for milking. Good video.

[@diannemiller4754]

Great video. Thanks for sharing. I've been enjoying watching you prepare for your goats. Including watching Miah build your goat milking station. 😊Thanks Jess!!!!

[@janellevoigt5481]

Hi Jess, to possibly solve your pesky cat issue, why not have a little bowl for her somewhere near you, that you just put a little milk in it, she will drink the milk and possibly leave you alone? Maybe, just a thought, love the videos.

[@Steinru73]

Why don’t you do the first squirt into a bowl for the cat? it leaves your standtion clean and not snelling like spoiled milk after awhile

[@shawnmcpeak6184]

Little boy seems very calm and listens.

[@melissamiew4056]

Your "rags" look better than my towels on rotation. lol :D

[@michelerae53]

I nearly spit out my tea when I read this. I thought I had posted out lol😂

[@lajohnson1967]

I was thinking the same thing! In my defense we have red iron water so everything gets dingy looking fast here.

[@e.duncan6256]

My daughter just purchased several does and a Buck (meat goats) and 1 doe has already delivered a baby and another probably is carrying multiples, due anytime. I want a milk goat or two myself, I live about 75 miles from her, also on some acreage. I’m going to forward this very very informative video to her. For me it was a bit of refresher, as my parents, grandparents, relative, all had farms, where I learned to milk a cow. I’m now a widow but I do long for those days a milking animal is the only thing I’m missing, thinking a couple of goats would be easier and probably cheaper to feed and handle than a cow? Thank you so much.

[@yvencia1150]

Thank you for sharing 🐐🐐🐄🐄🥛🥛😊😊🥰🥰

[@julie-annepineau4022]

Love the peace and joy you show around the goats. It will be a few years before I can get into dairy but this is a great reference for set up and flow

[@marlaherrington5320]

Absolutely love all your videos. Love all that y'all do.

[@donnaburchett9328]

Good morning. I'm so happy you're teaching us. Can you make butter from goats milk? I saw you making cheese but was wondering about butter? Thank you for all you and your family do. God bless you.

[@ArtByKarenEHaley]

I'd watch her make goat butter for sure! I think she did in an older video from the other farm but I'm not sure.

[@AmyRaeChaos]

I have a ramp up to my back deck made of composite deck and it’s a death trap!

[@tammytackitt8713]

You act like you're so happy now you're smiling so much and it makes me happy Love your channel and your goats look beautiful

[@kimg5784]

My babies headbutted me! thought all infants did that- lol

[@tinatippin5705]

You have such a sweet herd. You compliment each other. Our granddaughter and her husband have built a dwarf nygerian herd. Her kidding happens at Christmas time. We call it Homeschooling in the Barn time. She makes soaps, cheeses and just mastered her first batch of Butter. She loves her goats and we are so stinking proud of her.

[@samanthaquant7411]

This is so informative and helpful! I am hoping to get goats some day in the next5- 10 years. :)

[@schex9]

I like seeing the whole process of this chore. I'd like to see a whole day on the farm, one a day for a week or so.

[@geraldinemcguire1698]

We used to add sorghum molasses to their feed on our farm in Arkansas...a local farmer suggested it...to us city folks.

[@hamakuahomestead7741]

This video is super helpful. I see how it would apply to cows too. Have a beautiful day! ❤

[@micheleweatherspoon6399]

Oh my. He is so precious.

[@ladonnawoodley5279]

Good video Jess. You've created a great system. The goats will love their wooded area. Good job.

[@CrazyCatLady-dx8uj]

Jeremiah did an amazing job on the milking stand!! I wish I had local access to goats milk!!

[@jeaniegobin1375]

H I Jess thank you for sharing the milking process. You should grow some alfalfa on the farm . I bless you. Take care Jess

[@abundantacre9]

Jess, Azure sells Modesto Mills feed. It’s my favorite for the goats! My local feed stores can’t get a distributorship so that’s my solution and it works out. I’ve compared prices to my closest seller (2 hours away) and it’s only a couple dollars different. Totally worth it to not spend all that fuel and time.

[@Sunnysidecrochet]

Just a little tip you could start selling some of your goat’s milk if you feel like you are swimming in goat milk. I did that but felt overwhelmed and sold my goats to my cousins . Now they sell the goat milk for a little extra money.

[@melaniejenkins109]

Great video

[@gardeningwithprincess]

Human children aren't much different lol. I nursed all three of mine, and they will either slap, punch or squeeze the boob the help let milk come down/out faster. It's instinct.

[@denaliprincess]

I heard an old cowboy say that with most animals, the one who owns that space and makes the others' feet move first is the leader. Be the leader. 🥰

[@ourhomesteadclassroom]

I'm totally with you, Jess! I would absolutely commit to twice a day milking chores if it was the difference between getting to have milk in my coffee or not. Priorities in life... Amiright?!

[@cherri0228]

Thank you for sharing with me. I love learning from you. It’s torture waiting in my apartment/classroom and unable to see a way. But I’ll be ready when my blessings come. Thank you Jess for being you and always Be Blessed 😊

[@fionaworrell4535]

Could you find ways to volunteer on your days off or holidays on smallholdings/farms through Wwoof or workaway or helpx ? Might help with the practical skills and keep you somewhat sane ;)

[@slh9564]

He is a very handsome rooster.

[@alexisd8190]

As always I love this video. I really need to find some local goats milk so I can make sure I enjoy it. I hope that I do as having goats will most likely be more plausible for me in the future than having dairy cows🤞🏼

[@doubledranchmi01]

That’s a beautiful barn ❤

[@hannahscarolinahomestead]

This was so flipping helpful! Sorry I usually comment on my other account 🤣 n before that another one 🤣 I’ve been watching you since the 1st garden tour, we’re getting goats next year and starting to get everything set up for them this year, and I always love your goat info!!

[@fionaworrell4535]

I'm super excited to share!! I caught my first ever bee swarm today.i have to tell the world 😆

[@RootsandRefugeFarm]

That’s wonderful! Congrats!

[@GatherTogetherHomestead]

Goats are by far my favorite 😍 fresh milk is the best

[@illyariddell1032]

As a breastfeeding mother, I would often get "lopsided" in my milk production. I am wondering if you create more demand on Virgie's smaller udder if she would increase her milk production on the smaller teat? (not a goat milker, but wondering #forscience )

[@CherylAnderson-qs4iq]

I really enjoyed pending some time in your beautiful barn. It was nice watching you milk your goats, seeong the milking process, & even the approach to filtering the milk so the cat doesn't dive into the bucket & even the clean up. I did feel a bit sad for the cat that you had plenty of milk to give the cat, but seemingly didn't. Hower, then I remembered reading that cats shouldn't be fed milk since it can cause diarrhea. Having had many cats, who I did occasionally give milk, I didn't notice any problems. I didn't think to check their litter box later, but maybe it's just an issue if they drink too much of it. Also, could you grow alfalfa?

[@kristiedaniszewski70]

Thanks ❤I love learning about farm chores from you…are you guys potentially able to grow alfalfa? Or is your environment not best for it? Just wondering! Have a great day 🐐🐐💕

[@Katsimagination21]

Hey Jess, I’m so loving the sweet goats ❤, would you be able to possibly grow the alfalfa for them ? Since it’s just a “treat” ? Or other crops that would be a treat for the goats ? 😊

[@lookingup978]

Jess, I am LOVING your videos about your goats! Please, PLEASE put a link to where you found that large (10"?) metal funnel. I have the same thing in blue plastic from Amazon but have used it so much with my mason jars that it is cracking and I can't find a metal one of that same shape ANYWHERE. Thank you for sharing your beautiful adventures with us. Have a blessed day. Jesus is coming to take us HOME soon!

[@KeithandPamBilyeu]

Pam here….IDK, I think you should keep all the milking in the same barn. Creating a goat ‘run’ for them to be outside, and maybe a ‘lean to’ for shade? Could move and they eat and clear the icky grass or stuff? You lucked out with such nice milkers and the bottle baby, so many issues you just do not have.

[@angelinasaavedra5850]

Hi Jess! I am so very happy for you. We just got back into goats because I also needed a break due to an injury. Our last goats were wonderful! We bought two does and the first one kidded yesterday ( two bucklings) 😊 however we paid much more than you did and since I couldn’t sit for the four hour drive my husband picked them up for me. Needless to say the breeder was dishonest. We weren’t as blessed as you have been the two were clearly not handled, (they are spooked when we enter their areas) their hooves were in bad shape, but we are thinking that at least they will have a good home and with patience… if you have any suggestions I could really use the support! I’m not sure if anyone has mentioned this but I’ve read that a buckling usually breeds at about six months, although they have been known to breed as young as two months! Yikes!

[@hparnell]

This was super helpful information of how not to over complicate milking! I have a Mini Nubian that's about to kid any day now and I will start milking her then. We are so excited!! Where do you get the plastic chain collars? Those look helpful.

[@marnaday4596]

I need a milking stool for my dairy cow. Been looking in every antique shop for one. Can’t find one anywhere local.

[@sweetpeashomestead3348]

❤❤❤

[@faithintouch6426]

Question: Did you milk from the side for the video? Or is it easier to milk from the back? Thx, ❤you & blessings upon these info spots. I like them!🎉❤

[@gypsygirl731]

Very nice video. Do you make goats milk cheese cream cheese or a yogurt from it.

[@theoneandonly1158]

Jess can u get a lid for the big container.

[@Onnada]

Jess, I've been growing Alphalfa sprout young greens in my garden for myself, might this idea work for your goaty girls too?